Orlando, Fla.—The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working with states, industry stakeholders, and motor carriers to distribute one million protective face masks for truckers which were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS NEARBY

Georgia

I-75 southbound, mile marker 179, in Forsyth/Juliette, GA just north of Macon, GA.

Georgia Inspection Stations

I-85 southbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Franklin County Inspection Station) MM 169

I-95 southbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Chatham County Inspection Station) MM 111 I-75 northbound at Georgia – Florida Border (Lowndes County Inspection Station) MM 23

I-75 southbound at Georgia – Tennessee Border (Catoosa County Inspection Station) MM 343

I-85 northbound at Georgia – Alabama Border (Troup County Inspection Station) MM 23

I-95 northbound at Georgia – Florida Border (McIntosh County Inspection Station) MM 55

I-20 westbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Columbia County Inspection Station) MM 188

I-20 westbound at Georgia – Alabama Border (Douglas County Inspection Station) MM 43

I-16 westbound from Savanah Port Area (Bryan County Inspection Station) MM 144

Texas

I-35 Northbound at mile marker 362A approximately 5 miles south of Hillsboro, midway between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Waco

All Texas inspection sites:

Mount Pleasant – I-30

Queen City – US 59

New Waverly – I-45

Falfurrias – US 281

Riviera – US 77

Penwell – I-20

Devine – I-35

Seguin – I-10

For detailed distribution locations, including other routes, and current dates of distribution, please visit: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/masks

Also, on March 18th FMCSA issued an order to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:

• Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

• Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.

• Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.

• Immediate precursor raw materials—such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of essential items.

• Fuel.
   
• Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine.

• Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes.

• Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services.

There is no specific documentation required for verification.  Retention of ordinary business records, such as the bill of lading, may be useful later for the convenience of the motor carrier and driver, to document use of the exemption during a future inspection or enforcement action.

It is also good to konw that, the FMCSA continues to recognize the validity of commercial driver’s licenses issued by Canadian Provinces and Territories and Licencias Federales de Conductor issued by the United Mexican States, in accordance with 49 CFR part 383, when such jurisdictions issue a similar notice or declaration extending the validity date of the medical examination and certification and/or validity of the corresponding commercial driver’s license due to interruption to government service resulting from COVID-19.

If you are an owner/operator of a truck company and have insurance issues, or questions please contact us at Florida Transportation Insurance (407) 501-8275 we’ll be happy to assist!

Mariana Zorrilla CIC, CRIC,CPIA

Email Mariana Zorrilla
Call 321-206-8035